Education - Modern Languages

Overview
The PGCE in Modern Languages is broadly aligned with the Northern Ireland Curriculum, training graduates to teach Modern Languages across the 11-18+ year age range. The programme aims to develop your competence and confidence in the teaching of Modern Languages and in the general professional role of the teacher.

Our PGCE will appeal to you if you wish to move into teaching and if you are a graduate in Modern Languages or about to graduate in Modern Languages.

Extra places are reserved to prepare those who are interested in teaching their subject through the medium of Irish in Irish-medium schools. An additional certificate in Irish Medium Education (IME) is awarded in conjunction with St Mary's University College.

Education (Modern Languages) highlights
Our educational research has been ranked 4th within the UK in relation to research intensity with 87% assessed as 'internationally excellent or world leading' (REf, 2014).

World Class Facilities
•The Education and Training Inspectorate has assessed the quality of provision for learning and the standards achieved by the students as 'very good'. The School is also a GTCNI accredited provider of Initial Teacher Education programmes.

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:

Indicative Number of Modules per Semester

1.5 modules per Semester (30 CATS points)

Indicative Proportional Mix of Time in Classes, Tutorials/Seminars/Labs, and Private Study in a Teaching Semester

60% lectures and 20% tutorials, 20% private study.

Entry requirements

Entrance requirements
Graduate
Please note the closing date for 2019 entry to this programme is 1st November 2018 at 5pm.

Applications received after the closing date will be regarded as LATE and will be considered only if vacancies exist when all applications received by the closing date have been processed. Normally we do not consider 'late' applications before June at the earliest.

All applicants must possess the following:

- At least 2.2 Honours degree (single or joint honours) or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University, in one or more modern languages taught in Northern Ireland (French, German, Irish, Italian, Spanish). German and Italian alone (or in combination with each other) are not considered, but each is considered with one of French, Irish or Spanish. In all Honours degrees, modules in Modern Languages must make up at least 50% of the qualification.

- At the time of application, GCSE Mathematics grade C, and GCSE English Language grade C or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Native speakers of languages other than English or Irish must have a qualification in a curricular language in addition to their mother tongue, at Level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, to be invited for interview.

We reserve the right to enhance the shortlisting criteria if the course is over-subscribed.

International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
•Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
•Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

Duration

1 year, full-time.

Teaching Times
Typically Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm. School-based placements are dependent on the host school's timetable for the school day.

Careers or further progression

Career Prospects
Introduction
This PGCE prepares students for teaching in secondary-level schools (age 11-18+). You will gain qualified teacher status (QTS).

Qualified teachers have found employment in secondary schools, progressing through either a subject specialist or pastoral route into middle and senior management. Others have gone on to successfully complete further postgraduate study.

Further enquiries

Ian Collen 
Pathway Convenor
SSESW
Ian Collen coordinates and teaches on the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Modern Languages programme. His research interests are in languages in the primary school, modern languages education and teacher professional development, focusing on bridging the gap between Initial Teacher Education and Beginning Teacher.

Subjects taught

Course Details
The programme combines university-based tuition, consisting of taught sessions and directed independent study, with professional placements in schools and is organised around three interdependent strands:

Professional School-based Experience - focuses on developing practical teaching competence particularly through working closely with experienced teachers during periods of school placement.

Subject Studies - how to teach Modern Languages.

Education and Professional Studies - common aspects of teaching and the professional role of the teacher, including the Northern Ireland Curriculum, the education system, assessment and recording, theories of learning, educational disadvantage, the social context of teaching, pastoral care and child protection, general management issues, relationships with other professionals, promotion of inclusion, effective use of technologies, digital safeguarding, and, literacy and numeracy in the classroom.

The programme also offers workshops on a variety of topics including special educational needs, classroom management, pastoral care, diversity and inclusion and children's rights.

Extra places are reserved to prepare those who are interested in teaching their subject through the medium of Irish in Irish-medium schools. An additional certificate in Irish Medium Education (IME) is awarded in conjunction with St Mary's University College.